Harden dominated the ball outside the 3pt line, dribbling down the clock before making a move (often to draw a foul).
SGA rarely does that. The ball moves a lot more and he attacks much more quickly.
Here's an example. Peak Harden (2012-13 through 2019-20, in Houston) Harden took 54 pct of his FGA from 2pt range. Only 15 pct of makes were assisted. He was assisted on 34 pct of his threes. In contrast, SGA the last 3 seasons has taken 52 pct of his shots from 2pt range and 21 pct of makes were assisted. He was assisted on 35 pct of his threes.
In other words, SGA gets a higher share of his shots and makes off movement.
TBF, those rates are much lower than Ant's. The last two years, Ant has taken 58 pct of his shots from 2, and was assisted on 35 pct on his makes. He was assisted on 51 pct of made 3s.
I mean, they sucked, but they also couldn't play defense on SGA and guys are getting into foul trouble because of it. And OKC can just run over and hack away until they get a steal. (Who knows, maybe every hack was all ball. I don't know!)
It's hard to pull apart one thing from the other, even though by the end it certainly did look like it wouldn't have mattered even if the fouls were called differently.
It is jarring to see such a physical playoffs turn into whatever that foul-calling was last night, though.
I think the Wolves need to lean into the fouls on SGA. If they're going to call it anyway, let him know he was fouled. I'd rotate Shannon and Clark on him and just maul him.
I don't think the Wolves have the talent to win straight up.
What's really awful about it is the Thunder seem to have the skills to not need to do that. Just play basketball, you freaks!
That said, I do think the Wolves are talented enough to win if Naz or DDV play remotely competent basketball, I have no idea what the hell Naz is thinking half the time these playoffs. That pass to Randle who was completely facing away from him was wild.
I read one theory of guarding SGA with a smaller player to make the snap-judgement call a bit less easy to make as well. Smaller guy, slapping him across the arms should do.
I don’t necessarily blame the guy/team to playing toward the rules. The fact that he flopped, on a replay the call get overturned, and they still didn’t give him a flop technical tells me that players are entirely incentivized to do exactly what they’re doing.
It’s just a boring and unappealing game, kind of like walks and strikeouts and no base running is boring in baseball
I don’t necessarily blame the guy/team to playing toward the rules. The fact that he flopped, on a replay the call get overturned, and they still didn’t give him a flop technical tells me that players are entirely incentivized to do exactly what they’re doing.
That's the thing I don't get. Why does the NBA think this is entertaining basketball? A flop technical here and there would go a long way in cleaning this up. Say what you will about the NFL (and I have a lot more negative than positive to say) but they are constantly tweaking the rules, having the refs focus on certain calls, etc., if particular plays don't add to the entertainment value of the product.
I was having a similar discussion yesterday. Baseball's problem is there are too many strikeouts. Basketball's problem is too many 3 pointers. Neither league is willing to address through rules changes while the NFL will.
Exactly right. I'm not an NFL diehard, but really is the Tush Push good football? I could watch rugby if I wanted that. Meanwhile, it's going under the magnifying glass currently.
I can't believe in a year that Tottenham will end up in 17th place of the EPL I have to give up this bit. I've been doing social media variations of this since probably 2009. So long, I'll miss the snark...
"Happy here's to another year without Tottenham getting a trophy to all who celebrate."
Certain team shout-out in today's Strands, FYI
Lynx was an answer in Strands last week too, Friday I think.
The Wolve lost last night because they sucked, but ugh, I hate watching OKC play.
OKC is good. They didn't need any help, but they get plenty of help. It's tough to watch.
They are really good. I think they win the LOB and we will look back on this team as one of the best in decades.
They are really good. Deep, can run, can spread the floor, play great defense.
I get (some of) the complaints about SGA, but he's way less boring than prime Harden.
I don't see any difference.
Harden dominated the ball outside the 3pt line, dribbling down the clock before making a move (often to draw a foul).
SGA rarely does that. The ball moves a lot more and he attacks much more quickly.
Here's an example. Peak Harden (2012-13 through 2019-20, in Houston) Harden took 54 pct of his FGA from 2pt range. Only 15 pct of makes were assisted. He was assisted on 34 pct of his threes. In contrast, SGA the last 3 seasons has taken 52 pct of his shots from 2pt range and 21 pct of makes were assisted. He was assisted on 35 pct of his threes.
In other words, SGA gets a higher share of his shots and makes off movement.
TBF, those rates are much lower than Ant's. The last two years, Ant has taken 58 pct of his shots from 2, and was assisted on 35 pct on his makes. He was assisted on 51 pct of made 3s.
They're equally frustrating to watch. I'm not saying they're the same player. I understand the difference in their games.
I would say that Harden didn't seem to get that whistle in the playoffs.
I mean, they sucked, but they also couldn't play defense on SGA and guys are getting into foul trouble because of it. And OKC can just run over and hack away until they get a steal. (Who knows, maybe every hack was all ball. I don't know!)
It's hard to pull apart one thing from the other, even though by the end it certainly did look like it wouldn't have mattered even if the fouls were called differently.
It is jarring to see such a physical playoffs turn into whatever that foul-calling was last night, though.
I wouldn't even find that enjoyable to watch if it was the Wolves doing it. Brutally unentertaining.
I think the Wolves need to lean into the fouls on SGA. If they're going to call it anyway, let him know he was fouled. I'd rotate Shannon and Clark on him and just maul him.
I don't think the Wolves have the talent to win straight up.
What's really awful about it is the Thunder seem to have the skills to not need to do that. Just play basketball, you freaks!
That said, I do think the Wolves are talented enough to win if Naz or DDV play remotely competent basketball, I have no idea what the hell Naz is thinking half the time these playoffs. That pass to Randle who was completely facing away from him was wild.
Yes. The bench seems like they've lost confidence. Naz with a lot of panic passes.
I read one theory of guarding SGA with a smaller player to make the snap-judgement call a bit less easy to make as well. Smaller guy, slapping him across the arms should do.
I don’t necessarily blame the guy/team to playing toward the rules. The fact that he flopped, on a replay the call get overturned, and they still didn’t give him a flop technical tells me that players are entirely incentivized to do exactly what they’re doing.
It’s just a boring and unappealing game, kind of like walks and strikeouts and no base running is boring in baseball
I don’t necessarily blame the guy/team to playing toward the rules. The fact that he flopped, on a replay the call get overturned, and they still didn’t give him a flop technical tells me that players are entirely incentivized to do exactly what they’re doing.
That's the thing I don't get. Why does the NBA think this is entertaining basketball? A flop technical here and there would go a long way in cleaning this up. Say what you will about the NFL (and I have a lot more negative than positive to say) but they are constantly tweaking the rules, having the refs focus on certain calls, etc., if particular plays don't add to the entertainment value of the product.
I was having a similar discussion yesterday. Baseball's problem is there are too many strikeouts. Basketball's problem is too many 3 pointers. Neither league is willing to address through rules changes while the NFL will.
but they are constantly tweaking the rules
Exactly right. I'm not an NFL diehard, but really is the Tush Push good football? I could watch rugby if I wanted that. Meanwhile, it's going under the magnifying glass currently.
Bader says he likes jam.
I can't believe in a year that Tottenham will end up in 17th place of the EPL I have to give up this bit. I've been doing social media variations of this since probably 2009. So long, I'll miss the snark...
"Happy here's to another year without Tottenham getting a trophy to all who celebrate."